Over 300,000 Lose Power as Severe Storms Slam Pittsburgh — Duquesne Light Outage Map Updated

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Over 300,000 Lose Power as Severe Storms Slam Pittsburgh — Duquesne Light Outage Map Updated

Evening of April 29, 2025, saw powerful severe storms sweep the Pittsburgh area, resulting in extensive destruction, widespread power losses, and emergency disarray. With wind speeds reaching 71.3 mph, the storms resulted in wide-ranging damage to several counties and caused disruptions in critical services, including electricity and emergency communication.

Duquesne Light indicated that over 230,000 customers in Allegheny and Beaver counties were without electricity as of 8 PM. In the meantime, FirstEnergy verified almost 280,000 outages throughout western Pennsylvania, impacting residents in Armstrong, Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland, and Allegheny counties.

As reported by the National Weather Service, wind gusts hit 71.3 mph at Pittsburgh International Airport, the third-highest on record in the history of the airport. The powerful winds knocked down trees and power lines, making it hazardous and slowing the restoration process.

“Because of the intensity of the weather and the extent of the damage, it could take some extra time to finish inspections and make proper restoration estimates,” Duquesne Light said in a social media post.

Oakmont Country Club Struck by Storms Before U.S. Open

Among the storm’s prominent casualties was Oakmont Country Club, where preparations were in progress for the 2025 U.S. Open. A number of event tents and infrastructure installations for the high-profile June golf tournament were destroyed or damaged. The United States Golf Association (USGA) is now evaluating the damage and planning repairs to maintain the tournament on schedule.

Pittsburgh 911 System Experiences Outage

Aside from power outages, Pittsburgh’s 911 emergency system was also affected by the storm. Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed system outages and encouraged residents in emergency situations to call their local police zones directly if they cannot reach 911.

⚡ What to Know:

  • Duquesne Light Outages: More than 230,000 customers affected in Allegheny and Beaver Counties.
  • FirstEnergy Outages: Approximately 280,000 customers affected in several counties.
  • Wind Gusts: As much as 71.3 mph, one of the highest in history at PIT Airport.
  • US Open Setup Impact: Oakmont setup harmful, USGA reacting.
  • 911 System Alert: Citizens might need to reach local precincts directly for emergencies.

What’s Next?

Restoration work continues, but power companies have cautioned against delays because of the magnitude of destruction. People are urged to avoid fallen power lines, report disruptions through official utility channels, and exercise patience while workers work around the clock to bring services back.

For outage updates, residents can go to:

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